Joan Blanchette Lowrey, 87, of Bevil Oaks, Texas, was born on March 10, 1927, and died on October 19, 2014. As a member of the French Family, one of the pioneer families in Beaumont, and a member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, she is survived by her husband of 69 years, Norman E. Lowrey; daughters, Norma A. Lowrey of Magnolia, Texas, and Virginia (Ginger) Painton; son-in-law, Ed, of Port Arthur, Texas; granddaughter, Zoe A. Carbo and her husband, Jimmy; three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Joshua, and Jaime, all of Magnolia, Texas. Joan is also survived by three sisters, Judy Merchant and her husband, Rashid, of April Sound, Texas; Janell Dodd and her husband, George, of Brenham, Texas; and Carole Horton of Covington, Louisiana, along with many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces who were dear to her heart.
Preceding her in death are her mother, Myrle Holland Joachimi, and her father, Devonian Martin Blanchette; sister, Linda Joachimi; aunts and uncles, Lucille and J. R. Johns, Katherine and Moise Broussard, and Exia and Lamar Holland.
Joan will long be remembered for her loving and caring work with young children and youth at Washington Blvd. Christian Church and University Christian Church and complete and never ending support of all children and youth activities at First Christian Church, Beaumont. Her work with and dedication to the Southeast Texas Genealogical and Historical Society will be remembered for many years to come.
The family wishes to express sincere gratitude and thanksgiving for the doctors and their staff who cared for Joan, especially, Dr. Linda Ray and Dr. Tommy Lombardo, and the caring staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to First Christian Church, 5290 North Caldwood Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77707; Some Other Place, P.O. Box 0843 Beaumont, Texas 77704-0843; or the charity closest to your heart.
A gathering of Mrs. Lowrey’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 23, 2014, at First Christian Church of Beaumont, 5290 North Caldwood Drive, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
